For kids, there is no downside to the summer holidays. Two whole months full of no homework, sunshine, and adventures.
However to parents the sound of that final school bell ringing can bring with it a wave of panic on how you will keep them entertained for over 60 days, that’s almost 1,490 hours to fill.
If the image of them cooped up at home is haunting you, why not enroll them in one of the many cookery classes and camps specifically designed with kids in mind.
The benefits are three-fold; they learn a valuable life skill, it keeps them entertained, and the spoils of the their kitchen endeavors are yours to look forward to.
Here are 14 of the best kids cookery classes and camps that will keep your mini master chefs busy all summer long… well, for a few days at least.
What?:
Designed especially for kids, Kids Cook provides cooking and baking lessons, camps and courses for children of all ages with thoughtful touches like lower kitchen work stations and steps for those who need an extra boost. This summer they are running camps divided into three age groups – 5-9 year olds, 10-13year olds and 13-16 year olds
Where?:
Clonee, on the border of Dublin and Meath – easily accessible from all parts of Dublin, Meath and Kildare.
When?:
Camps for teenagers took place in June but there are courses running for younger ages the weeks commencing July 10th and 21st August.
What?:
Designed for both kids and adults, The Cookery Cottage offer birthday parties, weekly cooking classes for kids and teenage weekly cooking classes. During the summer they run 4 or 5 day courses for teenagers, pre-teens and junior groups. With an emphasis on using as much local, seasonal produce as possible the school designs new recipes for each season.
Where?:
Douglas, Cork.
When?:
The last teenage camp runs from July 10th-14th, and those for Junior and Pre-Teen Camps run all summer.
www.cookerycottage.ie/campsforkids
What?:
Lismullin Cookery School offers kids of all ages the chance to travel the continent in a week through their cookery camps. Every day children will learn recipes from a different country in Europe; starting with typical bread from the country, followed by a main course and dessert as well as an extra surprise. The best bit?Parents are invited to a meal on the last day.
Where?:
Navan, Co. Meath
When?:
A camp for kids aged 10-14 takes place 3rd-4th July and one from 5th – 6th July for those aged 3-7.
What?:
Healthy Ever After is made up of four nutritional therapists spread out across Ireland. As well as offering personal nutritional consultations, this summer Nutritionist and chef Fiona McEnroy will be sharing her knowledge with younger clients too, teaching basic cooking skills and healthy recipes fun in the kitchen. There are dedicated camps for kids aged 7-10 years and 11-13 years.
Where?:
GMIT, Galway.
When?:
Camps run throughout August.
What?:
At Kater4Kids kids aged 5 to 13 years each get their own work station from which they’ll whip up everything from fresh homemade pasta and fish cakes, to swiss roll and whoopie pies. A nice perk for the parents is that every thing they cook they bring home with them.
Where?:
Ballygunner, Co. Waterford.
When?:
There are five camps running throughout the months of July and August.
What?:
Designed just for kids The Junior Chef kids cookery school offers cooking classes, cooking birthday parties, family cookery lessons and lots more for children of all ages, teenagers and transition year students. This summer kids grouped in ages 4–8 & 9–13 years can take part in their school holiday camps.
Where?:
Blackrock, Co. Dublin
When?:
There are 12 courses scheduled to run until the end of August.
What?
This year IT Tallaght launched its Creative Culinary Arts Summer Academy, offering Transition Year and Senior Cycle Students the chance to explore food inside and outside the kitchen from a health and wellness perspective.
Where?
Institute of Technology Tallaght
When?
There are three camp dates in July: 3rd-7th, 10th-14th and 17th-21st.
What?:
Previously known as The Tasty Tart, the East Coast Cookery School is run by Cordon Bleu trained Chef Tara Walker, a familiar guest chef on TV3. Following on from the success of last years children’s cookery camps, this year Tara will host 3 day hands-on kids’ courses. Children aged 8-12 years will start their day focusing on healthy eating and lunch prep followed by baking in the afternoon.
Where?:
Termonfeckin in Co. Louth, less than an hour’s drive from Dublin.
When?:
Course run from July 4-6th and August 8th-10th.
What?:
Situated on an 100 acre organic farm, Ballymaloe Cookery School is best known for its prestigious 12 Week Certificate Course which has been the first step on the culinary journey of many well-known chefs and food writers around the world. Run by Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen, that’s just one of the diverse range of courses the school offers however, including courses for Transition Year students and half day courses for kids aged 8-15.
Where?:
Shanagarry, Co.Cork. 5km from Ballymaloe House and a 40 minute drive from Cork City.
When?:
The next kids course takes place on 14th August, and a Transition Year course runs from July 24th-28th.
What?:
Just Cooking was founded by husband and wife team Mark and Bernie Doe, each with over 20 years’ experience in the food industry. Their Big Chef/Little Chef course offer the chance for parents and kids to learn new skills together during a 3 hour hands on cooking course.
Where?:
Killarney, Co. Kerry.
When?:
The course take place on Friday 28th July.
What?:
Brennan & Co Cook Shop, founded in 1872, can be considered one of oldest kitchen shops in Ireland. Along with three floors of foodie heaven featuring all the kitchen utensils, appliances and gadgets you can think of, they also run a dedicated cookery school that offers adult, kids and teens cooking and baking classes.
Where?:
Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork City.
When?:
Various courses running from July 3rd to August 4th.
What?:
In the heart of the Meath countryside is the Fairyhouse Cookery School. During the summer months the purpose built cookery school hosts three day summer camps that promise to educate kids to make better food choices linked to fitness, in a fun and friendly environment.
Where?:
Ratoath, Co. Meath.
When?:
There are two courses this year running July 11th- 13th and August 15th-17th.
What?:
Arguably Ireland’s most uniquely situated cookery school, Howth Castle Cookery School is based in the beautifully restored Georgian kitchens in the historic Howth Castle. Kids aged 8-11 years can soak up the history and grandeur on their summer cookery course while learning new skills and recipes. Each child is also provided with lunch, snacks and take home boxes.
Where?:
Howth Castle, Howth, Co. Dublin
When?:
The courses runs from 17th-21st July.
www.howthcastlecookeryschool.ie
What?:
Airfield Estate is 38 acre working farm, gardens, café with an emphasis on teaching visitors on about food, farming and nature. This summer they are running a number of kids courses including a 5 day Young Chefs Camp. Budding chefs will practice essential kitchen skills and master the fundamentals of cooking using ingredients harvested from the estate’s own food gardens. They will also discover how to grow their food, where milk comes from and how to forage. Throughout the year there are also monthly half-day cookery classes for 8-12 year olds.
Where?:
Dundrum, Co. Dublin.
When?:
While the July camp is sold out, there are spaces in the course for 8-12 year olds from 14th-18th August. For more information on the monthly Young Chefs Series click here.
www.airfield.ie/events/summer-camps-2017/
Erica grew up with a baker and confectioner for a father and a mother with an instinct and love for good food. It is little wonder then that, after completing a law degree, she went on to do a Masters in Food Business at UCC. With a consuming passion for all things food, nutrition and wellness, working with TheTaste is a perfect fit for Erica; allowing her to learn and experience every aspect of the food world meeting its characters and influencers along the way.
Erica Bracken Erica Bracken